Improvement in milk-jars



G. M. RICHARDSON.

Milk-Jar.

Patented July 15, 1879.-

"" w I II ldiffieaa cam N.PETERS. FHOTGUTHOGRAPHLR, WASHINGTON. D Q

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

GEORGE M. RICHARDSON, OF WEST UPTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN MILK-JARS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 217,551, dated July 15,1879 application filed April 28,1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LGEORGE M. RICHARD- SON, of West Upton, in the countyof \Vorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Milk- Jars; and I declare the following to be adescription of my said invention, sufficiently full, clear, and exact toenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form apart of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 represents a sideview of a milkjar constructed in accordance with my invention, theposition in which the handle is attached being indicated by dottedlines. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the top of the jar. Fig. 3 is a centralvertical section of the jar at line m m, Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is-ahorizontal section at line y y, Fig. l. r

This invention relates to certain improvements in that class of vesselsemployed for the distribution of milk, cream, &c., to families in townsand cities, or where it is desired to deliver such articles in goodcondition and in small quantities; and the invention consists in amilk-jar provided with a suitable cover carrying a valve, and peculiarconstruction of means for operating the same; alsoin the details ofconstruction of a metal handle or lifting-tongs and the manner ofconnecting it to the jar, as will be hereinafter described.

In the drawings, A denotes the receptacle or jar, preferably formed fromclear glass, with vertical sides at a a, whereby its internal diameterwill be the same throughout its entire height. Upon its exterior areformed ribs or horizontal flanges b b, one being at or near the top,while the other is some distance down the side of the jar. The ribs b bare cut away or provided with spaces or recesses 0 c at opposite sidesof the jar, to receive the limbs G of the metal handle or lifting-tongsO, which latter is made in the form indicated, and is adapted to beretained while on the jar A by the elasticity or spring of the metal.The limbs O of the handle are provided with lugs or cross-heads d d,which look beneath the ribs 1) b and support the weight of the jarA whenthe handle 0 is raised. By swinging apart the limbs (3 the handle can bereadily removed from or replaced upon the jar, as required.

F indicates the cover or stopper, which is made to fit the internaldiameter of the jar A, and is provided with a suitable packing, I, toform a tight joint with the sides a. The cover F, which is preferably ofglass, is provided with a rim or cup, F, to serve as a handle for thesame, said cover bein g also formedwith a suitable screwthreaded openingto receive a screwrthreaded valve-spindle, K, provided at its lower endwith an elastic valve, m. The valve-spindle K is formed with a centralvent-passage, 70, extending through the spindle and communicating at itslower end with a longitudinal opening or passage, 1, which opens throughthe side of the spindle into the surroundin g space. The spindle, whenscrewed down the required distance, causes the valve m to press downupon the seat f and close an opening, 0, communicating with the interiorof p the jar A.

The spindle K is provided with a suitable thumb-head, so that it can beconveniently turned in and out at pleasure. By constructing the valve inthe manner shown and described, there is no metal brought into contactwith the milk, while the parts can be readily taken apart andconveniently cleansed.

The under surface of the cover is slightly concaved or made so that allair can escape through the vent 0 when the cover is pressed down uponthe surface of the milk contained in the jar.

The jars are made of proper size to contain one or two quarts, more orless, or the quantity ordinarily required by milkmen for daily deliveryto a family.

The operation is as follows: The milk is placed in the jar and the coverF is put on with the valve m open, and is pressed down upon the surfaceof the milk, so as to expel the air from the interior. This can be donewhether the jar contains its full capacity of milk or is but partiallyfilled. The valve mis then closed, and the cover is securely retained inposition by the atmospheric pressure. The jar can then be handled ortransported without churning or injuring the contents, While the qualityof the milk or amount of cream can be seen through the glass of the jar.

When it is required to use the milk the cover F can readily be removedby first opening the air-valve, removing the cover, and taking out aquantity from the jar. The cover can then be replaced, as abovedescribed, the cover closing upon the surface of the contents, be theremore or less in the jar.

A single handle, 0, can be used for different jars, it being changedfrom one to the other, as required.

I am aware that air-valves have heretofore been used in jancovers henceI do not herein claim, broadly, the use of an air-valve.

What I claim as of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. The jar A, incombination with the cover F, formed with opening 0, andthe screw-spindle K, carrying valve m, and having openings k l,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The jar A, having'recessed ribs 1) b, in combination With the elasticmetal handle or holding-tongs (Lhaving limbs O and lugs or cross-headsd, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

Witness my hand this 15th day of April, A. D. 1879.

GEORGE M. RICHARDSON.

Witnesses:

GHAs. H. BUR-LEIGH, S. R. BARTON.

